Connector for fastening a windshield wiper blade to a windshield wiper arm

Abstract

A generally U-shaped connector, having two branches, for fastening together a windshield wiper arm and a windshield wiper blade, has a latching means cooperating with a recess formed in the wiper arm. The connector also includes gripping means for unlocking the arm from the blade. At least one of the branches of the connector body includes at least two resiliently deformable tongues, which are separated from each other by gaps. One of these tongues carries the latching means, while the other tongues, working as a pair, carry the gripping means.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector for fastening a windshield wiper blade to a windshield wiper arm, comprising a generally U-shaped body defining two branches, with at least one said branch including latching means for latching the connector to said wiper arm, and gripping means, said at least one said branch comprising first, second and third resiliently deformable tongues spaced apart transversely from each other and parallel to each other with said second tongue being flanked by said first and third tongues, wherein said second tongue carries said latching means and said first and third tongues carry said gripping means which are manually operable to actuate said latching means to unlatch said connector from said wiping arm. 
     
     
       2. A connector according to claim 1 further comprising a transverse portion joining said first and third tongues together, said transverse portion being movable by said gripping means to actuate said latching means. 
     
     
       3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein the gripping means comprise lugs projecting transversely outwardly from the associated said branch. 
     
     
       4. A connector according to claim 2, wherein the latching means comprise a lug projecting from said second tongue. 
     
     
       5. A connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second tongue has a free end, said latching means including actuating means projecting from said free end, said actuating means being operable by said transverse portion. 
     
     
       6. A connector according to claim 5, wherein the actuating means lies partly below the transverse portion.